Teams to look for wining combination

With about 3 months to go for the T20 WC, these 2 T20s will be more than just an exercise to promote cricket in the United States of America. These are the only T20Is that New Zealand and West Indies will play before the T20 WC. Both the Kiwis and West Indians will look at it as practice games and will want to identify the players who are most likely to do well in the ICC event which will take place in Sri Lanka. Though nothing much is expected of the pitches, the spotlight will be firmly on IPL superstars like Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Dwayne Smith, Ross Taylor, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo.

West Indies

In the only T20I that the Darren Sammy led side played in England, the all-rounders proved a point with the bat, but failed with the ball. The team will not read too much into the loss, as they have, arguably, the strongest T20 players in world cricket currently. The exploits of Gayle, Narine, Pollard and Bravo need no special mention and they will be the cynosure of all eyes. The only weak link in the side seems to be the skipper Sammy himself, but knowing how feisty a character he is, it won't come as a surprise if he does well.

New Zealand

Ross Taylor will be leading a comparatively inexperienced and new look side as compared to their opponents. The side will be missing Brendon McCullum and will have to rely on batsmen like Williamson and Nicol who are not exactly well known in the shortest format of the game. Jacob Oram will be the key and the selectors will want him to put in a good showing before the World Cup. Tom Latham, the wicketkeeper, will be making his debut.